B.C. to Introduce Security-Enhanced Birth Certificates
Nov. 26, 2007VICTORIA – Effective Jan. 2, 2008, British Columbia will introduce a new, more secure and durable format of birth certificate, Health Minister George Abbott announced today.
“This new birth certificate will be one of the most hi-tech and durable documents in the world,” said Abbott, speaking at a technical briefing on the security features of the new certificate. “Current B.C. birth certificates have not changed since 1983 and deploy 1950s-era security features. Creating a more secure version is an important way to assist British Columbians in protecting their identity.”
After September 11, 2001, the provincial and territorial ministers responsible for Vital Statistics requested a security review of current birth certificate documents. The Vital Statistics Council for Canada, in conjunction with Canadian Bank Note Company, and in consultation with federal and provincial document security stakeholders, worked on designing a new birth certificate with a focus on improving the security and durability of the document.
The new certificate is made of high-security plastic, making it extremely durable and enabling more than 20 security features. Some visible features include:
- When held to the light, irregular marks on the front and back of the certificate align to form a maple leaf;
- Two transparent windows – one with a colour shifting property and one with three floating maple leaves;
- Unique watermark/shadow features; and
- Larger size that makes it impractical to carry in a wallet or purse, reducing the chance of loss or theft.
“Identity theft and fraud are growing concerns for British Columbians,” said John Les, Solicitor General and minister responsible for consumer protection. “The high-tech security features built into this new birth certificate will help to protect people from those who try to profit from stealing personal information.”
The new certificate will be similar in format to a passport and British Columbians will be able to choose from two types of certificate – one with individual information only and one that includes parental information. Both certificates will be the same size and will replace the current large and small size of birth certificate.
Eight Canadian provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan – will introduce the certificate in late 2007 or early 2008. The remaining provinces and territories will follow at a later date. Once the adopted changes take effect, birth certificates in participating provinces will have a common look. Although certificates are of the same design, each will clearly indicate the issuing province or territory.
The introduction of the new certificate will not invalidate existing birth certificates for the foreseeable future; however, birth certificates issued after Jan. 2 will be in the new format only. The cost of a birth certificate in British Columbia will remain at $27.
People born in British Columbia can apply for a birth certificate at any Vital Statistics or Government Agent office or they can print an online application form and fax or mail the form along with the applicable fee to the Vital Statistics Agency. Additionally, in January, Vital Statistics plans to introduce a new online ordering system so that British Columbians will have the convenience of being able to order birth certificates online. All certificates are mailed or couriered to clients from the Victoria Vital Statistics office.
